Balad MK Bishara in Damascus: Beware of Israeli attack

This MK is a traitor and harmful to the security of Israel. He should be jailed.

Avi Make sure how you vote next time.Because it seems to me,the Israeli leaders are not stupid and aware of the shannanigans,even perhaps are complicite.Why,remains an enigma to the poor electorate. Are they may be too tired from the present leaders,and cannot pursue this matter at present? I said to someone else here,that this is not a recent escapade.Bishara went over many a time before,and was not brought to the public eye up till now.It was mentioned in the media briefly but nothing further was discussed. Perhaps this time,after the delicate situation of the war and its consequences,someone began to question this unacceptable behaviour. I think the people should rise up and show their objections with great solidarity in front of Olmert's residence and demand an explanation. But,will they? Or are they still trying to heal from their recent trauma...

Roland This is not the first time that Bishara and others have gone over to Syria and Lebanon in the past.Long before the latest war. I would like the Israeli Government to explain why they allow them to continue with the double dealing,what is behind it all?Do they know it?Obviously yes! But as to why heaven knows.Much explaing required by our leaders.Is it secrecy which the Israeli citizens are not allowed access to it? Tricky business politics ain't it???

"who is doing the attacking today with over 4.000 Palestinians murdered by your brutal army-- and almost 30,000 other injured?" That's easy, if you try something called "honesty" (Check www.dictionary.com if you're confused by that word). The Arabs restarted the war in 2000. Of course, during that war, 70% of Israeli casualties have been civilian while 35% of Palestinian casualties have been civilian. You, of course, will avoid that fact. As for the shoe being on the other foot, we never declared a war of extermination on the Arabs, so it can't be. You ignore '48, '65 and Fatah's and the PLO's constitutions and Charters. Why? Because to to be honest about them you'd have to admit this is a war perpetrated and continued by your terrorist buddies. You avoid facts and fairness, then decry people pointing out the truth. Dutch, you're not disgusted, you're disgusting.

Unfortunately the "We" in Balad's chairman MK Azmi Bishara claim, does not apply to the few million Jews who are stuck as a sore bone in the Arab throat. Bishara's dream of an Arab Union as revealed in his electronic Al-Aharam Weekly article is on its face "very democratic", and among other niceties it warns against denying the holocaust. It has become clear that the MK is very astute about the Israeli Arab's rights and interests and he will do anything in his capacity to promote them. Independent of the MK's views, as a public servant he has to abide by the law of the land. The 'right wing' talk about Bishara being a traitor does not serve democracy in the Jewish state. For the sake of democracy the state institutions should strive for more clarity and commitment for the rights of the Arab-Palestinian minority. Treating minorities democratically preserves democracy for the majority.

KUTW I have just come for a few minutes.The whole business is bizare,and you are quite right in responding accordingly. One thing that is obvious is: When they go on this jounts and conduct dialogues,do they then inform our leaders on important issues which would be beneficial to our country? It looks like having a fifth column among us,yes? Well,I have a good feeling that the Israeli leaders are not naive,and I am sure when these people go over there,go with the blessing of Israel's higher echelons. Politics are a murky business and difficult to understand the motivation behind all of this. Were I in the position at Israel' GOV'I'd either charge them with treason,or don't let them back into the country. Trouble is we do not know...

Of whom? It seems the only ones who consider Israel an enemy State were the ones who called for it to be destroyed and Jewish blood to fill the streets, in 1948. The rest of the world works productively with her daily. Even the Gulf States work productively with Israel, albeit quietly. Perhaps YOU are the enemy, or perhaps you just need an enemy in which to vent your own misguided egoism or failures in your life. I remember when the Geneva Accord was first created by Sari Nusseibeh (and relation?) and Yossi Beilin. In Israel, they called Beilin an idiot, in the West Bank, Pals fired bombed his home and Arafat fired him from his job. He needed a bodyguard 24/7 at that time. So who is the real enemy here? Those who disbelieve peace, or those who work actively to stop it?

Good comments. Now I have a question...exactly HOW has the Arab MKs helped you and the other Israeli Arabs? I see very little movement in equality for Israeli Arabs and the end of corruption on their municipalities, yet the Arab MKs always seem to have enough time and money to blame Jews for their plight. No offense to Israeli Arabs with this question is intended. If the Arab MKs could be a bridge, why are their speeches so ANTI-Israel. Does a Lawyer often verbally attack his own client publically in order to reach a deal between both parties?? Never. Bishara has often talked of never accepting Israel. With this guy as your voice, can one even question how Jews feel about Israeli Arabs? I'd love to hear what you think.

"israelis are far from accepting what egyptians have done 17 yeras ago.your raections are proving it very clearly,Rabin`s assasination is an other evidence." Is that why right after making peace with Israel, Sadat was assassinated???? Perhaps you should look beyond your own myopic perceptions to see the full story and to truly see that one courageous voice among the Arabs will be drowned my the millions of non-courageous.

Isreal must do its best to make peace with all its arab neighbors regardless of what the american national security agenda says , before time runs out.....

Isreal is a world enemy of peace,your record speaks for it self...... throuoght Jwes history you have been hated, to the point where you can insult somebody in so many languges by calling a person a jew........ your whole race need to be rehabilitated after you admit to yourself first that the world dont like jews.....

It's the other way around. For 2000 years the Romans ,Byzantines and Arabs have been sitting on our land. by the way who was it who said that most of us aren't Semitic? Modern genetic testing shows us to be related to the Kurds Syrians and Palestinians.

I dont know which dialogue. Syria is an enemy of Israel and those Arab fifth column members are on Syria side.

How brave of Balad. Thank you. 1. You've raised Syria's legitimacy to be a powerbroker in Lebanon (praising Syria for resistance - what resistance, other than that conducted by Hizbollah on Lebanese soil?). 2. You visit a a country that routinely tortures, kills and dissapears its citizens and the Lebanese; 3. And with one word praising Bashar and his Baath thugs, they turn Israelis Jews against Palestinians in Israel, who are instantly linked to what ever new statement that Assad makes. Surely a brave move for Balad, so obsessed with Arab nationalism, would be to visit the Lebanese in Lebanon - praise US for our resistance, and support our government, which has stood behind it - and not a bunch of thugs in Damascus who are trying to overthrow the Lebanese government, and carry on its "resistance" in Lebanon?

They support the enemy from within or from without. The visit did not change a that. Possibly, however, it may lead to a dialogue. In our part of the world we look for small miracles.

From what you say on your post, it is you who should read, read, read and read, and even more.

The downside is that they have expressed their support to the enemy and blaming Israel for what happens

Why do you think that I say the things I do? Because I read. I read, and I read, and I read. Do you suppose that I like that which I read? No, the answers have been shocking to me, and that which I previously believed in. If you want my best advice, with the response you have given to my statement, I would say to you, please read more. Read, and read, and read. It will never make you happy, but it will answer elementary questions which are included in your response to me. Listen: Truth is better than mythology. And, in some extraordinarily painful way, Truth will set you free.

It is not about traveling abroad but about supporting Syria against Israel.

Syria and those people maybe allies, but Syria is an enemy of Israel. Those people are traitors.

Nobody stole Arab land. The Jews who went from Europe BOUGHT land.

?Bishara called on Syria to beware of an Israeli attack? Those people are really the fifth column. Besides why does he ignore that it was Hizbollah that attacked Israel?

what are you going to lose, Invite them and see if they will accept. If they do, we will have talk for peace and if they do not, you will look good and trying for peace and they will look bad, I invite them Mr. Olmert.

Jesse Jackson, from what you say, went on the eve of a war, therefore before hostilities began. Furthermore, both he and Jane Fonda were individuals, acting as individuals. I totally disapprove of their actions. In the present case, we are dealing with members of Knesset who are making seditious statements. They are going to a country hostile to Israel, and which has been working actively to foster war against Israel. Don't worry, though, I am sure nothing will happen to them.

We did not miss your caustic irrational ranting for a few days. The postings have been rather civil in your absence. Did you get rejected by another real Israeli man? Again? Keep trying dear. It will all turn out just fine.

In order for us in the mideast to beleive the U.S.A intetion ,that they would like to spread democracy in the the mideast.First,they should start in the countries,where democracy does not exist.For example,saudi Arabia,Kuwait,Jordan,Bahrain,EXt....All of these regimes are friends of the U.S.A.Therefor If the U.S.A. can not convence their friends to change,MAYBE THEY SHOULD GIVE UP.

I salute you, Sadat and the Egyptian people. If Olmert would only invite Haniyeh and Assad for a cup of Turkish coffee I bet we will have peace within a year or two. It is such a waste when a country does not have strong leadership.

The Italian-American during WWII would have had problems getting home. But Jesse Jackson wen to Baghdad on the eve of Gulf I and several private citizens went there on the eve of Gulf II. Jane Fonda went to Hanoi during Viet Nam and had everything but legal problems afterword.

There is no downside to the visit unless state secrets are revealed. An upside may be the possibility of a dialogue which is sorely needed. As far as principles are concerned, let's forget principles. Human lives are involved here.

Most israelis aren't semitic? Stop sniffing glue!

This article, as well as some of the responses to it, actually make me laugh. Here we've got a bowdlerized, bastardized and very cheap imitation of Miami, with all of its US and want-to-be-US inhabitants, living in the midst of the Arabic Middle East and, in fact, on stolen Arabic land. How dare you lift even the tiniest eyebrow about this absolutely normal and fraternal visit between Arab governmental officials?

SPYING ON ENEMY IS NOT DEMOCRATIC. OSAMA SHOULD NOT HAVE REPS IN WASHINGTON TO SPY ON US. ACCORDING TO SOME "FREE THINKERS" IT IS THE RIGHT OF MK ARABS TO SPY ON ISRAEL. WELL IT IS THE SAME LEFT "FREE THINKERS" THAT HAVE RAPED ISRAEL FOR OVER 50 YEARS IN THE NAME OF ZION. WE HAVE JEWS WHO ARE CANCER TO THE SURVIVAL OF THE NATION. JEWS OF ISRAEL WAKE OUP. CHANGE THE FILTHY GOV.

bravo!! Ben

Knesset members going to Syria cannot be compared US members pf congress meeting with Bin Laden. That is a false analogy. Instead it is similar to US members of congress going to Cuba or North Korea. And contrary to what some would like us to believe, this happens regularly. In fact, the State Department usually encourages such visits because they see it as an opportunity to "sell" america's image through unofficial means. The problem with the Syrian visit is that, the MPs did not use the opportunity to promote an Israeli agenda but insteas sought to undermine the jewish state.

If these MK's are part of the Israeli government, then they should not be schmoozing with the Syrians b/c they are enemies of Israel. They should be able to visit Syria as private citizens. Thus, they have a choice to make: remain part of the Israeli government or not.

Do not compare the situation in the USA and visits from US senators or representatives to countries hostile to America with the visit by arab deputies in the israeli knesset to Syria or other enemy countries declaring WAR on Israel. In the first place NO US senator or rep is declaring himself against the USA, but this arab party and other arab deputies in the Knesset DO CALL FOR THE END OF ISRAEL and its replacement by a SO-CALLED DEMOCRATIC STATE WHICH IS NOTHING BUT A COIN-EXPRESSION FOR ANOTHER TYRANNIC, ISLAMIST DOMINATED AND FAILED STATE like most of the Arab states on this planet. Thus, these deputies from BALAD REALLY ACT AS ENEMIES OF THE jEWISH STATE and their illegal contact with the enemy of Israel should be sanctionned. In general it should become obvious to all of us that more and more arab israelis are behaving against the interests of the State of Israel and tough measures should be implemented to prevent this and to punish most seriously prepetrators of treason and

I am all for compromise, but it takes two for that to happen. Certain cultures are less able to compromise than others. It is ironic that you should cite Rumanian totalitarianism as your reason for making peace with totalitarian Syria. As I said, they would have to adjust their beaviour minimally, to say the least, and this has nothing to do with principle per se, but precisely with reality.

and its population would make a wonderful addition to the Islamic Republic of Palestine. How much clearer can their elected leaders be? What else do they have to say and do?

You don't know where it is? I think Israel does or soon will, and of course since it is in Syria it will be "attacked". Bye bye, demon!

""p.s. you must have learned this reality check business from BG; or maybe you men all think that women who disagree have the vapours."" This has nothing to do with "women or men who disagree" or "have the vapours". People disagree on principle but reality has the bad habit of interfering with those principles and sometimes [actually most of the times] we have to adjust to reality. I'm acutely aware of this since I was born and bred on ideology and principles in Romania a comunist country whose regime eventually colapsed because of the gap between principles and reality. Eventually everyone in the Middle East will have to compromise their principle to acheive real benefits for all involved.

Thank you for noting the Arab attack in 1948 that started the War Against the Existence of Israel. Can't blame you for not acknowledging that the war never ended except vis=avis Egypt and Jordan. Just about everyone confuses hostilities in this 58 year way for wars in themselves. The failure to see Lebanon this summer of a piece with May 15, 1948 serves anti-Israel propaganda. BUT, as I indicated in previous email, perhaps the visit to Syria of Israeli Arab MKs is a signal by Bashir that Syria, like Egypt and Jordan before it, is preparing to end its very long War Against the Existrence of Israel. As Syria goes, so would, I think it fair to say, go Lebanon. Would Iraq continue to refuse to make peace with Israel? That would leave isolated Iran--who never has fired an angry shot at Israel and... those Hashemite foes--the Saudis.

I know I am waiting to hear what will come of this. I just think the timing is going to be hard to swallow for some.

There is many we don't always find all the peices off the bus.

Is it beyond possibility that GOI had some knowledge of this trip which, if not equal to the Sadat journey to Jerusalem is not without its fascinating aspects? If a visit to China by a US ping pong team had importance far beyond the immediate visitors, this trip could be meant by Bashir to send Ehud (why hasn't Ted Koppel interviewed him this summer?) a signal. My father, Solomon Zukerman z"l, was aptly named; he was wise like his Biblical namesake. From my dad, I learned the importance of saychel. I believe it should be applied to the visit of Israeli Arab MKs ("how about that in itself!) to Syria. One of my dad's wise expressions was "no good is going to come of this" -- and "no good" happens, I think, when saychel is not applied, as when funds were blocked on the election win by Hamas.The funds could always have been blocked if Hamas remained nasty

Bring your land deed and we have a deal. I have mine and it is called the bible and there is many footnotes in every other modern text in the world. Sorry for your pops, I know how it feels my family also lost land, money, jewlery,business and there lives. Oops did I mention where? No because it happens everywhere to us and it has for centuries. Thats why we have been trying to buy it back through our tremendous contribution to mankind and it's survival and you want to cry about some farm your daddy lost that wasn't even his to begin with. Are you Jordanian or whats that name you call yourselves this century?

I am terribly shock by the outcry of several persons in the blog about MK's visit to syria. First, everybody need to recall is its arab land that is occupied by israel, though its existence is still a question. since when the occupiers start to judge owners of the land where to go and how to behave..so all haters of arab shut up and read history not written by either jews or arabs, but neutral historians..and come back and comment.. half knowledge is alawys dangerous

If they forbid the Arab MKs to travel to Syria===human rights violation. If they allow the Arab MKs to travel to nations actively hostile to Israel==security risk. If they condem the Arab MKs for speaking against the government they represent and expressing solidarity with enemy nations==limitation of freedom of speech.

So do you really feel about Israel. First learn some history before you jump on your soap box. Secondly do you want to talk in terms of law and gov. offical's behavior. This is not an Israeli/Arab issue at all. This is just breaking the law that they represent by being part of the kinesset. You are right Israel can't take appropreiate actions like always it can break a leg so to speak but the correct and undeniable one would be "Off with his head" you know what I mean you are an Englishman. I am sure that part of history you know it is your own. enough with the Jabs blok. This action is a systemized conscious propaganda ploy that is the root of this whole comflict but again you outsiders want to point fingers and dictate the way to handle it. Well we will see of course on the bbc. "bigot Bashing Commontators". In the end we will all see Israel was always right.

Cari cagazzi sono con voi ... - 'Dutch' deserved verses in Hebrew: Eize Balagan, Doris Cadigan. - 'Dutch' deserved verses in English: Dutchie-Dutch, Dutchie-Dutch, Please don't write us Very much. - Dutch's postings deserved definition in Dutch: GODFERDOM.

Section 107 of criminal code : ....... " anyone committing actions with the intent of harming the states security is punishable by life imprisonment"........ This would justifiably place all members of Islamic groups , including Arab MK's , behind Bars for LIFE !!!!

Imagine Jews living in an arab/muslim land operating like these MK's. Jews really can operate in an absurd realm. Only the Jews would endanger their security for the sake of a concept such as democracy. Nothing can substitute for good judgement, especially not intellectual absurdity. OI dont think any arab or muslim state would have any problem executing, transfering, exiling or imprisoning jews for a lot less than this. There is nothing wrong with transfer. There is so much arab and muslim land in the world today. Jews have had to flee arab lands; surely the Palestinians can be given the stolen homes of the jews in the arab lands.

I am well aware that Egypt is not exactly a democracy. My point about Syria is that it is ruled by a minority sect. That makes a huge difference. You are right that with missiles Syria can reach Israel. Yet as Yonatan Nester has pointed out, the major strategic advantage of the Golan is to keep out tanks and armored troops. If Syria is ready to make compramises, it must make some gesture of good will, as I had suggested in my previous post. p.s. you must have learned this reality check business from BG; or maybe you men all think that women who disagree have the vapours.

"What difference would the world be with or with out you? No one is watching you, no one cares." Are you the official spokesperson for 27 million Lebanese Christians? From my understanding of the holy scriptures, the GOD OF ISRAEL, the GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, and JACOB is watching, and He cares. If you really want to know what difference the world would be, then read the bible you claim to believe & please enlighten the "27 million Lebanese Christians" you speak for.

""The problem is that I do not trust them one bit. They are a minority dictatorship where 10% of the population rules the other 90%"" Egypt is not exactly a democracy either Cipora even if they mimic free elections from time to time. ""Furthermore, the Golan is much more important strategically than the Sinai was."" Not anymore.With the availability of balistic missiles a high vantage point doesn't have the same strategic importance as before. The thing is:US and the coalition of the "willing" has endorsed the Gaddafi regime in Libya despite their previous support for terrorism and posession of WMD. Inevitably sooner or later or probably as soon as Bush administration is gone in two years time the US and allies will engage with Syria one way or another.It's inevitable,logical and necessary from the American point of view.Otherwise their attack and occupation of Iraq and the problems they experienced there since would have been in vain.

This is Israel's Fifth Column and should never have been allowed. It is one of Israel's stupid phenomena that someone who holds no loyalty to the State of Israel is allowed to sit in the Knesset. This would never be allowed in the American Congress.

First, you begin your posts by justifying why you read the comments!?! Second, Israel has every reason for concern over MK Bishara visiting Damascus. Perhaps if the Lebanese had been more concerned with Hezbollah in their government, they would not be in such ruins today. SHALOM

It is incredible that those mk, are selling the country who feeds them. They should be expelled and the full weight of the law to be aplied to them. They are traitors, if they dont like Israel they can stay in Syria. Screw them. this is the result of Israel trying to behave as decent and civilized people, but no country in the world would put up with such SH-T.

Perhaps you should tell us

We know you hate Israel. You've all made that abundantly clear. But how on earth does Bishara going to Syria to support their positions in any way advance the cause of "peace"? I'd love to hear the nonsense you make up in response.

You are dealing in reality, while others choose to ignore the suicide bombers, the katyusha rockets and the continual "wipe Israel of the map" threats.

The MK's should be banned from re-entry into Israel. If they express solidarity with Syria and Lebanon, they should be living there, not in Jewish state.

They should be stripped of citizenship and deported. Openly breaking the law and what's more, being privy to the goings on in the knesset and informing a nation that is in a state of war. The fact that people can even justify their actions is mind boggling.

No other country would allow such high treason. For this reason alone, the Government MUST RESIGN. They're a danger to Israel - ALL of them. Israel needs a strong, democratic government, whose main concern should be the protection of the Israelis, not the opinion of internationals. Israel needs patriotic, solid leaders, who will implement a proper constitution, change the way elections are held, and allow Israelis to have proportional voting by electing their local MKs, instead of voting for one party. If this happens, a lot of corruption will disappear overnight, because no-one will vote for anyone with dirt on their hands. Get a new government who will protect the people, the land, and won't be manipulated by the international leaders who don't care about Jews!

Prime Minister Olmert, what are you going to do about Bishara on his return to Israel? that is if he does return. Are you going to meekly let things go thereby encouraging others,or make an example of him by putting him on trial as a traitor to show that treachary and sedition is not acceptable to Israel society.Olmert over to you

Fact:the dutch had the highest number of volunteers to the SS then any other nation and they still needed help from other nation and my grandfather a good jew was one of them.Fact 21 teenagers murderd by a arab in tel aviv disco,the shoe has been on our foot

I really haven't got the time to read all the responses suffice it to say that Bishara has crossed the red line if he did not have the government's permission for his trip to Syria.He should face the full force of the law when he returns to Israel,or may be he is better off staying in Damascus,where he can expound his thoughts on his dislike for Israel and the Jews.

So now we have MK's enemies of Israel who tell our enemies to be aware, that me might attack them??? Can you imagine a Congressman telling Hussein's government "be aware, USA might attack you".... Rack ve Israel

Syria has attacked Israel, through Hizbollah, and those MK say Syria is not an enemy. Besides they will be breaching the law. What an example for the citizens if everyone can do what he wants.

Whan in heaven's name is Bishara doing in the Knesset? He should be kicked out. Here is an example of democracy going too far.

Is Israel planning to attack Syria to cover their domestic problems? All this inane spouting of traitors does not address the fundamental question of an unprovoked atteck.

the holocaust and calling people ant semitic is the only defense the jews have for justifying killing lebanese and palestinian civilians , also torturing and imprisoning 10s of thousnads in jail , and cutting off palestinians from the rest of the world , by supressing the real injustices , now you also want to supress the arab mks from visiting syria to make peace because you love war

ISRAELI MILITARY SUPREMACY WITH BACKING OF US FUNDED MILITARY TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED EQUIPMENT VS PALESTINIAN ROCK THROWERS, its no wonder israel isnt withdrawing from palestinian lands FOR PEACE, because they find that like the business minds and talented israelis are the risk and money spent is worth the gains of lands

"Seems to me most odd that Israelis would not wish to use a perfect back channel to Syria." Mark Lincoln "Israel could attack more than one location in an effort to overcome its domestic crisis, and to improve its power of deterrence following the war in Lebanon." Bishara [Bishara, who joined other members of the Balad Knesset faction visiting Syria, expressed his support for Syria and for the country's struggle to free "occupied Arab land." He also praised Syria's support for "resistance to the occupation."] Haaretz Indeed, a perfect "back channel to Syria" to communicate...guess what. May be ML meant "back stabbing" istead of "back channel"? Who can understand the mind of these sophisticated and experienced Middle Eastern analysts from Texas...

David , You need to come up to speed. I see you are still stuck in 1948 with the Arabs attcking. But who is doing the attacking today with over 4.000 Palestinians murdered by your brutal army-- and almost 30,000 other injured? In the last few months the IDF has mudered another 245 Palestinians , 62 were mere children and 25 were women. What bloody murderers! What about if the shoe was on the other foot? Would you and others go about your business as usual too? I doubt it? Yet you have the audacity to turn a blind eye on your neighbors. Where is your sense of equal justice and fairness? What hypocrites you have become! I am so disgusted it cannot be expressed in words. Dutch

.... I wonder what is. Enough is enough. These MK's should be stripped of their immunity when they return and tried for meeting with the enemy. There is a limit to how much any self-respecting government needs to bend over backwards in order to prove that it's fair-minded. Had British MP's gone to visit Hitler during WWII (and warned him of impending attack) they would have been tried and convicted. What's sad is that the despicable acts of these traitors will set the Israeli Arab minority's rights agenda back 20 years. But maybe that's what they'd like to see.

c'mon. this is nuts. arrest them. put them in jail.

BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN NEED TO BE RESPECTED! If Syrian or Lebanese representative would travel to Israel then it would be just as just to charge them with treason for traveling to an enemy country.

You seem to switch sides pretty easy.are you sure you're not an average frenchmen?Go back to your local pub and drink away the rest of your teeth. the English HAVE no right to critisize manyone just look a your record in India,Ireland ,what you did to the Natives in North America and no need to to even mention Iraq and Iran.I think I and most people in here think YOU are the bigot.Shalom drunk

the obese azmi bishara made a journey to a country that is at war with israel.what is there to think about?arrest the traitor and put him in jail for ten life-times.

There are two sides of every issue. Having read most of the talkback items, it seems only to be a one-sided discussion about the legality, what other countries do, the fairness, the morality, the punishment, etc. Does anyone know what the Balad Knesset faction represents as its purposes, intentions, goals, etc. for pursuing these contacts and alignments? If in fact, Arab Israeli's are comparitively better off in Israel, and they only want to make things better for Arab Israelis and Arabs of surrounding states, their solidarity with these groups is not necessarily treason. If, on the other hand, they side with the Islamists who want to establish Islamic dominion over the region and the entire planet, then I would have very little sympathy for their mission. Does anyone have informaton?

i didn't see your posts when I wrote my post (#305). i'm glad that there are some Israeli Arabs that disavow Bishara and Balad.

Howdy Bruce; Anwar Sadat was a head of state and did not break any Egyptian laws when he cut a deal with the Israelis in order to get the Sinai back. President Sadat never said that he was an ally of a declared enemy of Egypt. MK Azni Bishara, on the other hand, does not represent the Israeli government, broke Israeli law by traveling to Damascus without authorization, and declared himself to be an ally of a belligerent state. There's no comparison between the two.

Howdy Shmuelshachor; The Israeli Knesset should strip MK Bishara and the Balad MKs who went with him to Damascus in violation of Israeli law of their Knesset seats and exile them for life for the crimes of high treason, sedition, and terrorism enablement under pain of death should they try to sneak back into Israel.

Brave Syriana... very good indeed. This is the point. They are Arabs, against Israel and even though they are granted the right to travel to Israel's enemies... THis will not jeopardize the State. This will not destroy the Parliament. This is a sign of political maturity. And this perception coming from you, a Syrian dude, just bring me hope for a better future in the region.

Is a clear indication of a people that are filled with hate and paranoia? I am not sure psychiatric care on a massive scale could even help them. I just hope there are others and enough of them who think and feel otherwise. Unfortunately it is a fact that sheer numbers Israel will always win at the end. So is these guys keep controlling Israel?s direction within the Israeli circle, then they have a myopic and shortsighted view as they fail to realize the larger circle beyond Israel! Eventually sheer numbers will indeed win and we all know where that will lead.

Can't somebody do something to get rid of MKs who are traitors?

My enemy's ally is my enemy. If Israeli Arabs don't see themselves as Israel's enemy, then they have to disavow Bishara and Balad. If they don't disavow Bishara and Balad and the whole groupthat went to Syria, then they deserve whatever steps that Israel might take against them. No more coddling .

...clowns like Bishara would have to concentrate on meeting the concrete needs of his constituents instead of empty grandstanding.

Every member of any government swears to uphold the laws of the country. The simple fact that members of Israels parliament sworn to uphold the laws of Israel and do things beneficial to the country, are in clear violation on several levels. By making the statement that they are "Allies of Syria", support an end to the occupation which is not Israeli government policy these people should be tried for treason. Plain and simple. Anyone visiting Syria in an attempt to bring peace is one thing, but to publicly state that they are "Allies" of an enemy that has supplied, harbours and continues to threaten Israel is TREASON!!! These ministers should not be barred from returning to Israel. However, they should be arrested the minute they return to Israel. They should be tried as traitors and have their governmental status revoked after a trial. This should be no different than Jewish MK's who visit Syria and make the same declaration. They must be tried!!!

Although, there is a saying that: "Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer"- not in this case. They should be tried for treason.

Have we lost all sense of sanity, decency and self- respect? We have just finished a round of fighting with an enemy supplied by another enemy, Syria. The actions of Bashara and his fellows constitute treason. He has gotten away with similar conduct before. This time he should not get away with it. Give him a chance to talk in prison with his fellow Palestinian terrorists.

Why shouldnt they be able to meet outsiders and travel abroad???? Jews do it too..... You cant expect people to live inside a glass house cut off from the rest of the world..... Israel is a biased and racist society..... its not a secret.

The facts prove that your entire argument is wrong. Israelis are allowed into Syria - Arab Israelis only. It is Jewish Israelis who are barred from entering Syria. This is racism

Thank you Azmi Bishara , Syria isn't our enemy either even though George Bush wishes to portray as one. But I will never accept that and so will many others. We will prove that in the streets too if we have too. Thanks again, Dutch

So according to most of the above comments Anwer Sadat was a traotor to the Egyptian people.

He should go and live in Damascus. In an other country he will be court marshaled.

She'll never address the facts, but just keep reposting anti-semitic lies. Poor, sad human being. It's people like her who have caused most of the death in the world. I'd pity her if she wasn't so dangerous.

That is, nothing approaching truth. Palestinian homelands were from around the Ottoman Empire. They got 80% of British Palestine, and still weren't satisfied. The UN then passed UNR181, which said both Jews and Arabs had equal rights on the remaining 20% .The Arabs didn't want that. You still won't admit that the Arabs declared that it wasn't a homeland they wanted, but that they wanted Jews back in dhimmitude. They denied a homeland in '48, calling for Greater Syria, and declared war. They never fought Jordan or Egypt for their "homeland". Article 24 of the Palestinian Charter, passed in '65, says they don't want Gaza or the West Bank, just Israel. While you keep denying the truth, we'll keep reposting it.

Israel's government evicts Jews from their homes, trains our IDF soldiers to attack Jewish settlers, then allows and protects these Arab traitors who would destroy Israel from within. Oslo Psychosis still infects our government leadership and threatens all Israelis.

LET HIM STAY THERE....WE DON'T NEED TREACHEROUS POISONOUS SNAKES IN ISRAEL...IF HE CONFESSES THAT HE AND THE BALLAD PARTY,ARE SYRIA'S ALLIES,THEY ARE NOTHING MORE THAN SPYES AND TERRORISTS....lET THEM STAY THERE

Amin, Right on! Israel is the enemy state and its vicious attacks on Gaza and Lebanon has opened the world's eyes too. What a bunch of oppressors and war mongers! They cannot exist the way they are now. The boycotts and divestments will only increase and many American tax payers like myself don't want to support them anymore. Dutch

MK Bishara should be barred from entry to Israel. If he want's to consort with the enemy, then he can live with them. Good luck to him and his friends. Cheers, Me.

Bravo, I don't know of what persuasion you are, but you certainly have opened a door, how wide it could be I don't know, but if quite a few readers think about what you, a citizen of I would say NOT a democratic type of entity, then maybe others from say Iran, or other Muslim nations, not to mention some of the Muslim citizens of democratic countries would ponder your INTELLIGENT words and think things over, not favor their threatening clerics elsewhere.

Listen, I know you are from Europe and your people suffered terribly under the Gestapo, the SS, etc. The Jews however were NOT given ANY opportunity to live under ANY circumstances. Now, who in anyone's right mind would give any aid and comfort to the sworn enemies of the state in which these so-called LOYAL members of their Parliament be given ANYTHING at all after doing what they have done, have been thinking. Now everyone is suspect because that's the way the world is now. Are you happy with your Muslim citizens? Have you any doubts about their unquestioning loyalty to your nation.

May be MK Beshara went to Syria with a special mission. But on basis what we know from the press Bishara must be denied to eneter Israel.

In any other country MK Azmi Bishara would be forced to resign his seat in the Knesset and be charged with treason against the state. Only in Israel can this traitor remain an active member of the Knesset.

"Those who always object to any improvement in relations with Arabs are the ones who object to the Balad members visiting Syria."- Lincoln Balad are not representative of the Israeli Gov't and cannot be considered as a back channel. They are arab nationalists and their going to an enemy country for talks is certainly not being done for Israel's interests. There is law that was enacted in 2002 to prevent such visits without the agreement or suggestion of the gov't. This will again be a test for the courts as the punishment for such a visit isn't stated in the law. Such a keen understanding of Israel you manage to display once again.

Greater Syria includes Lebanon,Jordan and Israel. Many,many,thousands have died in all these countries,victims of Syrian imperialist ambitions.

"The Balad group are Arab nationalists. They do not have the interests of Israel at heart and nobody in Israel can trust them to be used as "back channel". - Ben Gurion Coming from you that is much more persuasive than the statements of rabid Arab haters. "P.S. There was a recent law enacted to prevent such visits. I don`t know what the punishment for such a visit is, but obviously the law must be obeyed." - BG Lex dura, lex est. "The Supreme Court might determine the law is against some Basic Laws (constitution), but if not, the fellows might be removed from office." - BG If they are motivated by a desire to test or protest the law, then that is their decision. If they are simply defiant, then they are imprudent.

6000 shells from Jordan were fired into Jewish residential areas killing 20 and wounding 1000,900 buildings were damaged. Israel did not respond till Jordan sent in its air force to bomb residential areas in Netanya Kfar Sikin etc.. Israel accepted a ceasefire called by the UN chief observer,Jordan did not. When your people got defeated big time,came the big lie.Nasser and Hussein were caught by intercepted communications formulating the lie that they were attacked by the West.It was confirmed by voice prints.It is on public record. You are still lying.

you say that ron arad is dead.how did he die?under what circumstances did he die?where is his body? i have an enormous store of ill well for you.not least the beastliness you have shown in the treatment of ron arad.nations allow visits by the red cross.they exchange captives and give news to families.you are inhuman.i have an intense desire for revenge against you.i hope isreal will never leave you alone.

You claim that Israel has violated all international laws, what about Arabs: Nasser Hitzbollah, Ahmadinejad, hamas, etc. Do you see them as innocent bystanders ?

Lebanon Jordan and Israel. "Not an enemy" depends on where the loyalties lie. "Pan-Syrianism, the intention to piece the together the countries of the Middle East and form one large country, a Greater Syria, has been the driving force behind Syrian foreign policy for decades, and lies behind much of the recent conflict in the region. Furthermore, for many years Syria has been directly sponsored and used international terrorism in an attempt to achieve its goals. So as to justify their actions a vague claim is often made that the countries of the Middle East used to be one happy country. However no such country ever existed. "

Here is Dennis Ross's account. http://www.nybooks.com/articles/14529

One out of every two Israelis is an Arab. You seem not to know that there are Arab Jews as well as Arab Moslems and Christians.

Your President Saadat was a man of honour and integrity. He was intelligent and farsighted and realised that it was better for your people and ours that we should live in peace. If there were more leaders with his strength of character and determination in the Middle East we would be living in a fortunate and happy region.

"Here are the PERFECT representatives to speak with Syria WITHOUT committing the government of Israel. Yet you wish to see them in prison instead of doing their job?" - Mark L Mark, in every situation you need to look closely at the particular conditions. The Balad group are Arab nationalists. They do not have the interests of Israel at heart and nobody in Israel can trust them to be used as "back channel". Nothing "perfect" about them. Back channel is not difficult to have; sometimes they met in Europe. One day, when there is peace, the local Arabs will be a bridge. Until then, Israel should do what it can not to push them to the enemy camp. P.S. There was a recent law enacted to prevent such visits. I don't know what the punishment for such a visit is, but obviously the law must be obeyed. The Supreme Court might determine the law is against some Basic Laws (constitution), but if not, the fellows might be removed from office. In the Israeli system, this is less a big deal than in the US. People vote for a party, not for individual MK?s. If the ?visitors? are removed, the next people on their party list will come in automatically.

They inflame racism in such a way that most israeli arabs don't vote them

Sadat was assasinated by a palestinian terror group,because he chose to make peace with Israel. As far as the rest of your article,what are you trying to say?

You always print the same hateful people. Why?

What would America have done if, against the law, one of its Senators went to Nazi Germany during WWII? Let's see if Israel follows its own laws and prosecutes this traitor as required or they just let it slide thinking it's better for Israel to jail teenage Jewish girls who protest against the government. I hope the attorney general has the guts to do what's right and follow the law or we are nothing more than a 3rd world banana republic.

"On the 1967 War: I was there and I saw things first hand! The Jordanian Army was not even mobilized when Israel attacked from the air and on land. So please stop falsifying history. Stop the lies." You must not have been in the then Jordanian occupied part of Jerusalem. Otherwise you would have witnessed Jordanian canons shelling, without provocation, central Jerusalem, including the Israeli Parliament, government buildings, Synagogues and commercial centers. A well known Israeli diplomatic appeal to stop it failed. All this BEFORE Israeli forces returned fire and attacked Jordanian positions. You might as well argue that the British burning of Washington DC in 1812 was no act of war, or that you were in Kyoto on Dec 7, 1941, and did not see the Japanese army mobilize, thus "forget about the Pearl Harbor attack".

Rami, the day I can enter the Tel-Aviv airport, with my Swedish passport and proudly say that I feel Palestinian in my heart and soul, and then be able to visit my city of origins, Acre, without being thrown back on a plan to Sweden, or the day when I can buy a home in Acre, as a christian or muslim, alike any other jew can. Then come to me and start judging other countries for being totalitarian. If you haven't realised where I'm going with this so far, I'll quite frankly spell it out for you. Israel is the biggest crime in modern history. And what is even more reluctant to think, is that Israelis actually have the stomach to judge other people. I thank God for Sweden. My second home. My only home so far actually. And when the day comes, and it will come I am sure of, I will return to the land which my great grandparents where killed and thrown out of. And I will take my knowledge and experience of true democracy from Sweden, and hopefully build it in Palestine.

First of all I'd like to comment on Rami, the Israeli Arab from Nazareth, who feels ashamed of the Israeli Arab MP's that visited Syria. You say Syria is a totalitarian country, which constantly violates human rights. And you want those Israeli MP's to be thrown in jail. Hmm, this ought to be fun, I don't really know where to begin. I don't know if you've known, and forgot, or if you've simply never known about the Israeli crimes on humanity since the day it created itself on the ruins of Palestine. And to all those other people talking about the MP's braking laws, and should be punished for it. Hmm, well, hmm. Can we begin by punishing Israel for all the international human rights laws? Whatever tribunal, may it be the Haag Tribunal, the Geneva Convention or the UN resolutions, Isael hasn't left a single one that isn't broken. And you have the stomach to actually bicker on other people, on behalf of braking laws?

The very people who can help you out of this shit and you won't to crucify them.The doors to Lebanon and Syria are open to them with a welcome mat and all anyone can do and say is they are breaking the law,this delegation can pave the way for negotiations concerning the land ocuppation and the two captives if Israel can get off its ass and stop behaving like a bunch of losers who have made a mess of things in lebanon. The Indigenous Arabs of Israel are your trump cards, how you treat them will decide the future of Israel.

That is not the point but that the Jews live in their country, not in nobody else?s country.

The problem is that I do not trust them one bit. They are a minority dictatorship where 10% of the population rules the other 90%. Nor is assad the new sadat. Furthermore, the Golan is much more important strategically than the Sinai was. Nor do I believe one moment that this is only about syria. They have an agreement with iran, which I very seriously doubt that they will break. If they want to send even the most minimal signal of good faith, they should stop interfering in the negotiations for the release of gilad shalit. They also need to stop being the capital of world terrorism. Every single terror organization has their offices there. This situation is in no way comparable wih the previous one that you mentioned. I have been proposing peace with Lebanon first. There are few outstanding issues between the two countries from an objective view point. If peace could be achieved there, it would show good faith both on the part of Iran and Syria.

Just a naive question. What has Syria ever done to Israel? Like they say in Arabic, he hit me 1st and then he started crying....his face hurt my fist !!!! Isn't Israel the one who has been occupying the Golan Heights for the last 40 years. When was the last time anyone crossed the Syrian border to attack Israel? If Assad (father & Son) is so evil, do the Israelis really want to have a regime change which would most likely bring the extremist Moslem Brotherhood to power? It's true that Assad has in the past supplied Hizballah with few dozens Katusha and that is certainly not good and i'm almost certain that if Israel makes peace with Syria all that will stop ON A DIME. In my humble opinion, I think the Israelis are missing the forest for the tree. The real danger facing Israel now is not the secular Assad but rather Mr. Ahmadnajad. If I were in Mr. Olmart's shoes, I would go IMMIDIETLY to Mr. Bashar and kiss his Ass and give him the Golan back and maybe a few extra "Donums" just for the heck of it and focus all my energy and attention toward the much bigger threat which is the Iranian's NUKE.

Abe Natan was jailed for going to Egypt on a peace mission and he was not an MK. These Traitors should be punished for their actions. does the PM have the guts to bring them up on charges- how can you let them make a mokery of the legal system. you have to make an example. Syria is our enemy and should to treated as one. Yoel

Sure, they are on a peace mission. They are secret agents without doubt. Do you relly think that Israel can have no back chanels to syria if she wants to? This is more like some brits i can think of visiting hitler.

Dear J, You said "Barak offered 98% of the land.. to Arafat" Could you please point me to a credible source that backs this historical lie so we can all be enlightened. On the 1967 War: I was there and I saw things first hand! The Jordanian Army was not even mobilized when Israel attacked from the air and on land. So please stop falsifying history. Stop the lies. Neil

""Damascus is not worth a Muslim conversion. I would rather have the Golan for the time being."" Israel pulled out of Sinai and didn't have to convert to Islam to have a peace treaty with Egypt. We both support Israel Cipora but in my view the Golan Heights is not worth one drop of Jewish blood and if [and only if] by having peace with Syria young Jewish and Arab lives can be spared it is worth the sacrifice. Without Syria the terrorist network may crumble like a house of cards and everybody in the region and elsewhere would benefit.It would be a major political victory for both Israel and the West and a major boost for the free and civilized world.Even Bush could claim victory in his war against terror.Time has come to engage and compromise for the sake of future generations in the region.

I understand why the Arab MK's would want to visit Syria as they wish Syria would rule Israel and they would have to resign from a fascist non democratic government and give up all of their basic democratic and human rights. Who can blame them? Besides what harm can these guys do except to themselves?

Sorry Wahbi to disappoint you that there are many mayby more than you want to believe that support and love the Jews. I am one of them. Too bad that's bad news to all you anti semite!!!

"The Balad party released a statement this week saying that the MKs' visit was "the realization of the right of Arabs in Israel to remain in contact with Arab nations." A new "nation" was just invented, Arabs in Israel. Very interesting. Arabs and Arabs, the "palestinians" got lost in Balad conversation. They too, hate the Palestinians. yes, like the contact desired in 1947/1948. No shame.

" Israel arab knesset faction to meet syria's leader, inviolation of Israel law" How could a knesset member be loyal to Israel when he doesn't respect the law of his own country. This shows that most of or maybe all the arab knesset member are definately not loyal to Israel,looking at the statement made during the recent Lebanese war. Beware of these enemy within .

No winners, but lots of whiners though, or how soon we forget! I believe it is best summed up in a quote from the late Edward R Murrow! "We must not confuse disent with disloyalty. We must remember that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of the law. We will not walk in fear of - one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctine, remember we are not descended from fearful men, Not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and defend causes that were for the moment unpopular." Choices!, will you do the right thing, because it is right, or close your minds and continue to live in fear of the dark images conjured up out of your imagination?

Barak offered 98% of the land volume Arafat requested, then Arafat returned home and lied to everyone, giving the exact swiss-cheese sound-bite you bought. If it was a bad deal, why did he lie? Furthermore, Levi Eshkol gave Dayan the pre-emptive go-ahead to strike the advancing Jordanian, Syrian, and Egyptian armies because - well - they were advancing (a step Golda Meir should have taken when history repeated itself in October 1973) - and also because the USSR had armed them to the teeth with weapons Israel didn't have. Finito.

Damascus is not worth a Muslim conversion. I would rather have the Golan for the time being.

Yes sir. You Arab MK's are free to express your opinions. You are free to travel to any Arab country provided that it is not in violation of Israeli laws which you have been elected to uphold. If you don't like the laws, get a petition signed and get support to have them overturned. If Israeli MK's passed a law prohibiting Arab MK's right to vote on issues relating to Arab states there would be a massive outcry in the Arab-Israeli population. However they are clearly in violation of Israels laws and as such should be punished. They should be allowed to return and immediately charged with the crime relating to their violation. That is democracy.

Yes sir. You Arab MK's are free to express your opinions. You are free to travel to any Arab country provided that it is not in violation of Israeli laws which you have been elected to uphold. If you don't like the laws, get a petition signed and get support to have them overturned. If Israeli MK's passed a law prohibiting Arab MK's right to vote on issues relating to Arab states there would be a massive outcry in the Arab-Israeli population. However they are clearly in violation of Israels laws and as such should be punished. They should be allowed to return and immediately charged with the crime relating to their violation. That is democracy.

"An illegal visit to Syria may cost the Arab Mk`s jail time and loss of their Knesst seat, and this will be fine. MK`s must also observe the law. But I would like to concentrate on their message: It is time to pursue peace talks with Syria.: - Ben Gurion If it costs them time in Jail then it has failed. Mr. Ben Gurion when will Israel start dealing in the real world it exists in? Here are the PERFECT representatives to speak with Syria WITHOUT committing the government of Israel. Yet you wish to see them in prison instead of doing their job? One out of five Israelis is an Arab. That simple fact IS Israel's ace in the hole. No need to play that card until the end game. But throw into prison those members of the Israeli government that the Arabs cannot dismiss as "Jews"? How silly. How stupid.

Israel should try to engage Syria directly or indirectly.If Bishara can be a back channel to do that why not. This is long overdue.If by withdrawing from the Golan Heights Israel can get a peace treaty with Syria it is worth the price. With Syria re-admitted to the coalition of the "willing" and complying with international norms of conduct the whole terrorist islamist/jihadist axis of evil will suffer irreparable damage. "Paris is worth a catholic mass" said Henry of Navarra a protestant who converted to Catholicism in order to become the king of France.Peace and stopping terrorism is worth witdrawing from the Golan and a treaty with the Syrians

this is especially for the people of israel who are posting calling syria racist.. first off do you not see that in the palestinian lands that you stole from them in 1947 and yes theivery is what you did, there are jews only roads what kind of backwards democracy are you i would call you a demockery because of your narrow minds and feeble attempts to call yourself a democracy , at least the arabs dont lie and say they are a democracy when they know they arent, and as long as israelis continue occupation of all arab lands i mean all the israelis need to leave to their native countries ie, russia, germany, etc, etc, even syria , and morocco leave and go home just because you are getting rich , because you automatically get approved for israeli citizenship and free land for settlement because you call yourself a jew,,,,,,, dispicable and dirty

The name of our beloved president Anwar al Sadat was mentioned several times by many talkbakers. I beleive that what Sadat has done in the battle of deplomacy for peace is much greater than any victory by any general. His words in the Keneset still rings in my ears " NO MORE WARS". Yes he paid the price with his life but his spirit lives in the the hearts of all the peace loving human beings around the world.

He went to syria to deliver a secret message from Olmert stating that he was tired of winning. Livni also packed in some chocolates as a goodwill gesture and Peretz included a toy plastic rocket you build yourself for assad's son. all these are confidence building measures. That is why Kadima is so good for Israel.

Listen up there Gus, you can sell us that line about Palestinians stranded in Lebanon Syria and whereever else crap.. Bottom line is Israel did not put there against their will. Their Arab brethren are responsible for their misey by not acceptin Partition in 1948 and subsequent wars that follows. It is not Barak nor any other Israeli leader for that matter to decide how their fate should be settled. They only need to make sure that they have no hope of returning to what is now Israel. The past is the past they need move on. THey sould resettle in their new Palestinian state that will hopefully arise in the so far future. Israel can assist by providing financial relief as part of a world wide effort to resettle them. Other than that Israel owes them nothing.

Bishara and the rest of the MK's visiting Syria are simply are breaking Israeli law and for the mostpart committing treason. Regardless of ones opinions these Arabs are members of the Israeli Knessett and must obey the laws of the land. They are representing Israel first must adhere to the rules. This is a smack in the face to Israeli democracy which elected these men to office. PM Olmert better start taking control of this civil disobedience and have these men arrested and if ultimately strip them of their seat in Parliament. Enough of this treasonous behavior by the Arab MK's

SEAL THE BORDER BETWEEN LEBANON AND SYRIA How can Israel and the world only concentrate on Hezbollah alone? They need to focus on Syria and Iran who are the ROOT OF THE PROBLEM in this war. Hezbollah is nothing but a puppet used by Iran and Syria to destroy Israel influence in the Middle East. Israel need to wake up with the rest of the world and focus on the ROOT OF THE PROBLEM, destroy Syria and Iran or this war will never end for years to come. Assad is a Coward and a big Liar, if he claims to support Lebanon, he should have sent his troops to stop Israel from invading Lebanon, that was a big blow and a threat to his country. But no, he sat back and watch Lebanon burn. SEAL THE BORDER BETWEEN LEBANON AND SYRIA. DEPLOY NATO ON BORDERS TO SUPPORT LEBANESE ARMY. BOMB SYRIA AND IRAN, THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

?As you may remember there has never been a state called Palestine. The West bank was illegally occupied by Jordan before they attacked Israel with the intention of wiping it out from the map in 1967.? Response: This is a useless argument: The facts are clear except for fools like yourself that refuse to see the obvious: Palestine/Israel, up to the British Mandate, was an integral part of the Moslem world, fully inhibited by indingiounous people whatever you wish to call them. Their rights can not be erased by a bunch of lies that are nothing but half fictitious (religious) and half greed. Secondly, Jordan did not attack Israel in 1967. This is another lie that Israel?s supporters love to repeat. It is the other way around: Israel attacked all its neighbors under the guise of pre-empting an immanent attack. Check your facts!

?Israel is Jewish Homeland and Jews will protect it at all cost. Israel occupies Palestinian land and the Arabs will continue to do demand Israel also respects its Arab neighbors and is willing to make peace with them as long as the Jewish state of Israel is eternally preserved.? Response: Israel needs to get a grip on its geographical reality.. It is a Middle Eastern country in the heart of the Arab world and if it wants to eternally survive, it needs to make peace with its neighbors and respect their culture and rights. ?..Barak did make the ultimate peaceful offer. If what you are looking for is peace with Israel Barak made the offer and Arafat rejected..? Response: Barak was a fool and should have known that the Palestinians will never settle of a patch of land full of holes that looked like a Swiss cheese. Give the Palestinians 22% of their historical homeland Palestine, i.e., The West bank and Gaza, and they?ll leave you alone with the rest.

Would he deliver to our arch enemy Syria some kind of sensitive material? Bet he would! Is Israel (the gov't) ready to apply the law that prohibits Israelis to sleep with the enemy? They applied it a few times toward Israeli Jews who were in the same position. Would the gov't strip this or these MK(s) of citizenship and ship them to Syria where they belong. They had the nerve to affirm that Syria was no enemy.. to the Arabs...

Back channel my a.s! Do you think they are going there to to help negotiations and bring world peace?? All being brought down by your Bush stand in Olmert who really hates peace.Is that what you really think???LOL

At least they aren't sneaking around like the backstabbing US and Israeli government that go around secretly meeting with insurgent leaders to help them overthrow legitimate govenments. If it is illegal punish them, but punish everyone that breaks laws not just the ones that suit your racist agenda.

If a US senator, Lieberman for example, wanted to go meet bin Laden to discuss peace I would pitch in a few bucks for the trip. Israel should take advantage of the "middle ground" they have by allowing Arab Knesset members to help bring peace. It is not like they snuck over there in the middle of the night woth a briefcase full of secrets. If there is a law against them going then hold them accountable. Just like the 30 airmen that had sex with the 12-year-old. Or the US to the new settlements, give them a "gentle rebuke".

Every democrcy I know would throw a government official out of office if he visits not only an enemy state, but their officials, and delivers a message to them that is not shared by the Israeli government leadership. I don't know about your definition of democracy, but to me, it does not mean anyone can do whatever the heck he wants and there will be no reprecussions. P.S. - I would love to see some democrat or left wing governor go visit Osama Bin Laden with a peace message. After all, we are a democracy.

Thoush Israeli Arabs in general sympathize with the Palestinian cause, and many even sided with the Hizbollah during the war, there are many others who are dissatisfied with their representatives in Knesset, and think thatm instead of gaining publicity with visits to Syria or making demagogic speeches in Knesset, they should be devoting themselves more to improving the lot of Israeli Arabs: more equal rights, more services, better education, more infrastructure. Such Arabs, some of them my colleagues, are by no means avid Zionists, yet think that their Knesset deputies don't really care about the lot of their own constituents.

If the Arab League was prepared to convene and issue a statement of officially recognizing Israel as a member country in the middle-east. If the Arab League was prepared to issue a statement either distancing themselves from or calling for a detraction of Iran for their statements of wiping out the "zionist regime" and holocaust statements. If the Arab League was prepared to do these two things the dynamic would change immeasurably. The very fact that these 2 items are issues precludes any possibilities for peace.

Perhaps Israel will host a conference of Arab politicians from the surrounding countries who are prepared to discuss a framework for peace that Israel will find attractive. hmm, do they exist?

I'm really impressed with Israel's sense of fairness and concern Israel shows to all its citizens. I don't agree with what the Arab M(ic)K(ey m.o.u.)S (e) are doing but I'm impressed that Israel still finds within it's inner quest to be right and just to allow them to continue to serve in the representative government. The only reason these so-called whatever they're called, are going to Syria is because they know that Israel is a society that has laws and a system of justice that allows them to freedome to epxress their views. It would be great to hear them compliment Israel's wonderful system of government which they are beneficiaries of.

"We don't see Syria as an enemy state," Zahalka said Friday, in an interview with Israel Radio from Syria. "There is an opportunity today to discuss peace." - Haaretz An illegal visit to Syria may cost the Arab Mk's jail time and loss of their Knesst seat, and this will be fine. MK's must also observe the law. But I would like to concentrate on their message: It is time to pursue peace talks with Syria. Since losing the Golan Heights in 1967, Syria supported Palestinian terrorist groups and now Hizballah, all in an effort to pressure Israel into discussing the return of the Golan, but without being so directly involved that Israel would retaliate against them. This of course was smart from their point of view. With the fall of the Soviet Union, Syria lost its main patron and supporter. Initiall, they attempted to be friends with the US, and even joined Gulf War I against Saddam. Jim Baker visited Damascus, and later even Clinton met Assad. In the early 90's (Rabin's days) Hafez Assad made a strategic decision to pursue peace. Rabin promised the Golan will be returned for peace arrangements, and this was renewed by Peres, Netanyahu, Barak. Progress in peace talks lasted until Jan. 2000, when Barak could not come thru with final arrangements (due to fear of Israeli public opinion). Bashar Assad offered Sharon to continue the peace talks but Sharon refused; he said he didn?t want to give back the Golan. (Sharon was a shortsighted man.) There is now the opportunity to renew these talks. Peace with Syria will kill Hizballah and push Iran out of their Lebanon outpost. Without peace with Syria, a renewed Lebanon war is only a matter of time.

Thats if you assume all arabs are homogeneous... Arab is a linguistic-cultural term, not an ethnic one - the same way Jew is a linguistic-religous-cultural term, not an ethnic one... I've got Jewish friends who are white as snow and black as night - now - we can argue their "semitic" roots all day and then the same goes for the "arabs" read some Ibn Khaldun... Its not true when you say that the jews lived there long before the arabs because the arabs of whom you speak were "arabized" much like the ashkenazi were "europeanized" and the sephardi/mizrahi "arabized" etc... The proof is in the pudding as they say and if that genetic sauce is good for the goose, that it must, as they say, be good for the gander as well. The arabs didn't replace the jews/christians/pagans when islam came to town...they slept with them...

Dear howard: thanks for your positiveness. i was saying that israelis would kill any peace process in the cradle and i'm not glorifying Sadat and Rabin's assassinations by extremists from both sides,reminding israelis of arab courageous steps to Peace is necessary because all they love to remember are the less constructive issues.

Didn,t those rockets murder Israelis? Deport these MK's to Syria.

The assasination of Rabin did not stop the peace process, Arafat's intifada did. Israel continued offering Arafat more and more up until Barak called his bluff by offered him 98% of the land he was asking for. Arafat was not looking for peace and to "save face" he started the intifada against us. Poll after poll show Israelis are more than willing to live in peace with their neighbors while poll after poll show that Palestinians support wiping out Israel (all of it, not just 1948) and continueing suicide bombings even after withdrawl to 1948 borders.

Terrorists meeting other terrorists, where's the harm in that? The only difference is that Bishara and Tibi etc. have the audacity to call themselves Israelis, they are no such thing, if anything they are Arab squatters on Jewish land, just like the rest of their brethren in Gaza, Judea and Samaria.

Have you ever seen a Jew in these states you mention? Bonne nuit..

"We don't see Syria as an enemy state," Zahalka said Friday, in an interview with Israel Radio from Syria. "There is an opportunity today to discuss peace." - Haaretz An illegal visit to Syria may cost the Arab Mk's jail time and loss of their Knesst seat, and this will be fine. MK's must also observe the law. But I would like to concentrate on their message: It is time to pursue peace talks with Syria. Since losing the Golan Heights in 1967, Syria supported Palestinian terrorist groups and now Hizballah, all in an effort to pressure Israel into discussing the return of the Golan, but without being so directly involved that Israel would retaliate against them. This of course was smart from their point of view. With the fall of the Soviet Union, Syria lost its main patron and supporter. Initiall, they attempted to be friends with the US, and even joined Gulf War I against Saddam. Jim Baker visited Damascus, and later even Clinton met Assad. In the early 90's (Rabin's days) Hafez Assad made a strategic decision to pursue peace. Rabin promised the Golan will be returned for peace arrangements, and this was renewed by Peres, Netanyahu, Barak. Progress in peace talks lasted until Jan. 2000, when Barak could not come thru with final arrangements (due to fear of Israeli public opinion). Bashar Assad offered Sharon to continue the peace talks but Sharon refused; he said he didn?t want to give back the Golan. (Sharon was a shortsighted man.) There is now the opportunity to renew these talks. Peace with Syria will kill Hizballah and push Iran out of their Lebanon outpost. Without peace with Syria, a renewed Lebanon war is only a matter of time.

It's people like you who made us invent the expression "amerikanaki" (little American boy) to describe someone with a low IQ..

In Greece,there was much debate some time ago over several Muslim MPs (from the Moslem minority of Thraki) who said they regard themselves as Turks and not Greeks. As far as I remember,these MPs were forced to resign. Would you say Greece is not a democracy?

Dear friend Will I see anytime in my life the jewish MPs from arab states in Israel? Before the 1967 war /started by Egypt / did exist an independent palestinian state ? From Czechoslovakia after the WW II, 2,5mil gemans and hungarians were expelled as a result of the war. If jews can live freely on palestinian territories it will help to solve the palestinian problem. And take in consideration from arab countries 2,4mil jewish refugees.

Anwar Sadat was unfortunately killed by Muslim extremists, & Yitzchak Rabin was killed by a Jewish extremist. I wish the extremists would go fight it out somewhere far away, & let us moderates live in peace.

You are not the spokesperson for the world. Hadnt Hizbollah attacked Israel first, nothing would have happened. Maybe you think that it is not savagery for Hizbollah to attack the Israeli civilian population and then to shelter among Lebanese civilians. You are not the spokesperson for the world. There are more people in the world in addition to the Isarali-bashers.

Gus; what about the rights of over 500 thousand Jewish refugees from Arab lands such as Iraq, Yemen, Syria etc? Who will compensate for their properties that were confiscated from them? Who will compensate me whose fathers properties were taken from his family in 1941 in Turkey when Turks established the (varlik Vergisi) a tax law to persecute the Jews and Armenians? If you really want peace with Israel and not by wiping out Israel, consider it a wash.

Israel is Jewish Homeland and Jews will protect it at all cost. Israel also respects its Arab neighbors and is willing to make peace with them as long as the Jewish state of Israel is eternally preserved. You asked for Israel?s Sadat and I gave you the facts. Barak did make the ultimate peaceful offer. If what you are looking for is peace with Israel Barak made the offer and Arafat rejected. Get used to the fact; Israel is here to stay. As you may remember there has never been a state called Palestine. The West bank was illegally occupied by Jordan before they attacked Israel with the intention of wiping it out from the map in 1967.

All of the one's mentioned in your list above Bishara went as official representatives of their state. None of the other's decided to bash their employer's or fellow citizens while participating in their acts of diplomacy. Bishara loves Syria so much? Let him live there.

yes you jerk. The Arabs deny Israel the right to exist. Israel does not deny the soverignty of arab countries. You deny the right of someone of the Jewish religion the right to live in even moderate Jordan. There are Arab supreme court judges, doctors lawyers members of the govt knesset members nothing like that in the totalitarian/authoritarian arab world, where converting out of your faith is a capitol crime. What a hypocrite!

At least they try to break the deadlock and offer the world some hope for the future. There is no question but the Jewish politicians bring us death and misery . Their vision is one of more of the same. Relentless hate against the supposed enemy. Today Iran, yesterday Iraq who knows.

At least they try to break the deadlock and offer the world some hope for the future. There is no question but the Jewish politicians bring us death and misery . Their vision is one of more of the same. Relentless hate against the supposed enemy. Today Iran, yesterday Iraq who knows.

You forget to mention the millions of palestinians stranded in Lebanon, Syria and other places or 58 years. They will be no peace without addresing this problem. Compensate for some, let some come back who still hold title in their hands since the ottoman rule and let some stay in the host countries. Israeli should be to understand that no matter how long they will be out, they still have rights, the same rights that you had after leaving for 2000 year. Barrak did not want to address this issue and no Plaestinian leader can ever survive leaving these refugee to rust for another58 years./

Kissinger went to North Vietnam. Albright went to North Korea. Carter went to Cuba. Biden went to Libya. Bishara went to Syria.

some one who has nothing can give nothing we know about Barak's "painfull"offers that Mr Arafat rejected and made him among the greatest men for his people.palestinians are not begging your charity.they want their homeland back.

I just read a large number of these responses about the MK trip. For years, I've been told that Israel was the 'only democracy in the Middle East'. Guess I'll have to change my mind. The Knesset is repressive to Israel's arab minority, and restricts the movements of Israeli 'citizens'. And this kangaroo court cheers?

the whole world has witnessed how Israel attacked savagely lebanon .each time you find an excuse but you have been always the provocating and agressing part.none believes you anymore exept autistic israeli population.

that was a very very funny joke! I approve !

I know that many Israeli Arabs resent these Arab politicians doing what they are doing.There was even an official conference a few years ago in the Galil where leaders in the Arab community demanded the MKs spend more time on their issues than on Syrian politics.Why do Israeli arabs continue voting for them? I know their are problems of discrimination which as jew and zionist I deplore and regret very much, I know many arabs are memebers of the Labour Party , maybe that would be a better way to go?? Regards

If they dont need to consider themselves Israeli and obey the law why do they stand for election as Israeli citizens.Shouldnt they not participate at all? Should a Scots nationalist who thinks you english are invaders, run for parliment and try to speak to ben laden at the same time? You English are in a very delicate situation when it comes to throwing stones.get out of scotland wales and N Ireland then you can talk.

Barak offered all of Gaza, 94 % of the WB and Israeli land to compensate for the 6 % to Arafat to establish a Palestinian state with the capitol in East Jerusalem. It was a very risky and courageous offer on his part. It was Arafat who declined it. He preferred to fight another Intifada with the false hope that he could erase Israel. Now the Arabs are paying the price.

Israeli citizens are welcomes in many arab countries!!! Not only Jordan and egypt. But also Mauritania, Morocco, tunisia, emirates, and LIBYA...

They are breaking a LAW and they could stay there and take other along. If they would be members of the Syrian parliment and break a LAW..imagine what would happen to them. They should consider staying there forever.

...was asked by customs, "Occupation?" He replied, "No, just visiting." LOL Hahahahaha

Where did this ?delegation? cross Israel?s border? What type of travel document did they show at the crossing? What was the declared goal of their foreign traveling? Whether Lebanon and Syria are legally enemy territories or not, especially as with both cease fire conditions exist, is a separate question. Who and what reason their foreign travel was authorized? Upon return they should be arrested for contravening security of Israel. The rest is up to the Attorney General.

If they are friends with the enemies of Israel they are themselves enemies of Israel themselves. It must be hard for them to be living among their Israeli enemies. So they?d better stay in Syria. If they go back to Israel, two things can be done a) Not to allow them in. b) To try them for treason.

Seems to me most odd that Israelis would not wish to use a perfect back channel to Syria. members of the Kenesset who can travel to Syria without destroying their careers, are beholden to a significant Israeli voting block, and who can play the "Arab Card" with the Syrians. "Party officials said the delegation was seeking a just peace in the Middle East. Members of the Balad delegation expressed their fear of a "second round" of fighting in Lebanon, and called for refraining from additional wars." - Haaretz And what exactly is wrong with that? Oh, I get it. Those who always object to any improvement in relations with Arabs are the ones who object to the Balad members visiting Syria. God forbid anyone should reduce tensions, and perhaps be able to convey communications without either government embarrassing it self by talking with the other.

Peace cannot be discussed by those MK's. They obviously do not see it like the government and the majority of Israelis. They are only trying to discredit theIsrael government.When punished which certainly will happen, they will lament that Israel discriminates them! These kinds of actions will not bring theArab state closer. These actions are contraproductive. Stop the culture of victimization.

Let?s remember that Jews were also living in the Jewish state long before the Arabs arrived. When Israel was re-founded, it was meant to be the Jewish state. Still so the Jews permitted the Arabs to stay there. The Arabs in Israel live much better than in Arab states. What do you believe is the reason for it? Another thing. When the Arabs were defeated in the 1948 war, the Arab states expelled there national Jews. They say that, since a Jewish state existed, all the Jews should go and live there. Then all the Arabs living in Israel should have moved to Arab countries, for the same reason. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

hey, im about to be a new israeli and my whole heart is with israel and i couldnt be more patriotic.however one thing that makes me so upset is how israeli arabs (im assuming) dont feel connected to israel and dont like being israelis. this is one thing i wanna work on. what can israel do for you to make you proud to be israeli first and arab second? because to me if your in israel you arent jewish-israeli, arab israeli, or whatever, you are one people...it may be under our beautiful mogan david, but its our country...what can be done for you? thanks

Unlike Israel, the US is not in a state of war with any nation as far as I know. However, what Congressional trips have been made to North Korea to meet with Norht Korean government? How many Congressional trips have been made to Cuba to meet with Fidel? How many Congressional trips were made to China pre-Nixon's opening up of diplomatic relations? The fact is none. A Congressman does not travel as a private citizen but as a resentative of the US Gov't. That representatrion carries obligations based on loyality to the US. These Arabs not only made the trip but said they didn't consider Syria an enemy. There are IDF killed less than a month ago by Syrian supplied weapons. There is no only a state of war existing on paper but in blood as well. That either is,or,verges on treason and wouldn't be accepted in the US and shouldn't be in Israel.

Arab MK in Israel are traitors to the land that gave them freedom. All Arabs who tkink likewise should be expelled from Israel to any country they wish, this way they can live among their"brothers". In case of any war they will be the fifth columm within Israel. When is Israel going to stop to behave as a Democracy and will begin to act as any country who is realistic with todays conditions, politcally and militarly.

Dear Rami; Thanks for your support. I have written on various occasions on this subject to Haaretz. I have also written a book that you might find interesting too. Just Google my full name and you will find many of my articles on the internet as well as my book called "Scratching the Surface" published in September last year by iuniverse.com. Thanks again. Fahmi

They choice a totalitarian country and ennemies of Israël. Israël is a democracy. This is the big problem between the two countries. That all!

Do you need to be reminded that it was Hizbollah who declared war on Israel and not viceversa?

You gave me an idea. Why don?t the pals fight Hizbollah and Syria instead of attacking Israel?

I cannot believe this......if these MK`s are not disciplined, or better yet not let back into Israel it will be the last draw for me....Is Olmert a Muslim trying to destroy Israel from the inside.....action BETTER be taken against these Arab Mk`s....WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON.

I cannot understand your post, because all the wars against Israel were started by Arabs.

This is treason!! WE are always in a state of war if they want to maintain contact with an enemy state or any Arab state . 1. Throw them out of the Kenesset there are too many parties anyway.. Thats one way of getting rid of parties. 2. Put on trial for treason, 3. If found guilty deport them and their entire family to the enemy state in question, In most places an act of treason during a state of war penalty is death.. We would be kind souls to deport them and their entire family..

You write..." I`m sure they value their privileged status as citizens Israel". Well those "privileges" are really "hard earned rights" and were won by fighting war after war with enemies determined to put an end to the Zionist Entity and Syria has been foremost as one of those enemies. In fact, Syria is one, if not the most implacable enemy Israel has. While Jordan and Egypt have found ways to make peace with Israel, Syria hasn't. To be-friend your nations most uncompromising enemy - one who provided the weapons which killed IDF just two weeks ago, is proof of these Arabs bad faith to Israel to say the least. There are grounds here for treason.

It is very simple. The law states that you cannot go to Syria (an enemy country). If these MK's go then they should be arrested, it is that simple. And by the way, how are they allowed into Syria? I'm Canadian and I cannot go because I have a stamp saying I have been to Israel. If they want to talk peace why dont they meet at a neutral location. If they really want peace why dont the Syirians show good faith and help release the soliders instead of stopping it?

Sadat's assassination didn't kill the Egyptian-Israeli peace agreement but rabin's assassination stopped the whole Oslo project and that's shows the absence of honesty and the fragility of israeli proposals and wills toward Peace.

This debate is important because it speaks to the gigantic social cleavage which hasn't been closed between Israeli Jews and Arabs. As we know, the only difference between Israeli Arabs and Palestinians are their id cards and the border. They were living there before the Jewish State and they're living there now. That said, its unfortunate that Israeli Jews cannot bring themselves to be "pc" about the conquest of the holy land. 2nd class citizenship mirrored with arrogant statements from Israeli Jews to the outside world like "Israeli Arabs wish they were Jews/hate the Palestinians/are afraid of Palestinians" etc... are the reasons we see Balad in Syria. Hell, they are the reason we see Balad!!! This social division was created by zionist conquest of the holy land and the concurrent judeocentric bubble some Israeli's insist on living in. Lieberman's tribe may not commit the same acts as Hamas but they have the same beliefs! Truth is, Israeli Arabs are the only sane ones left!

In a democracy everybody has to respect the law. Democracy doesn?t mean any can can do what they want. From what the article says, if they travel to Syria, they will be committing a crime.

They shouldnt be allowed in Israel when they return.

Hizbollah is sheltered in Lebanon. The Lebanese government should have disarmed Hizbollah and didn?t. Hizbollah has two ministers in the Lebanese government. Hizbollah has several members of the Lebanese Parliament. Hizbollah attacked Israel. But, as far as those KM are concerned, the blame for the war is on Israel. It is plain that they believe Hizbollah has the right to attack Israel and that Israel doesn?t have the right to defend itself.

Syria backs Hizbollah and supplies it with weapons. Hizbollah attacks Israel. Syria is not those people?s enemies Which conclusion can be drawn from it?

You are wrong Rick. Americam members of congress can go anywhere. The state department might advice against the trip. Congressional trips could be officially sanctioned by the congress and that is called CODEL "Congressional Delegation" or it could be atrip by a congress member not part of a CODEL.

If they are friends with the enemies of Israel they are themselves enemies of Israel themselves. It must be hard for them to be living among their Israeli enemies. So they?d better stay in Syria. If they go back to Israel, two things can be done a) Not to allow them in. b) To try them for treason.

Oh no you don;t as long as those Arab states are hostile to the State of Israel. Your first loyalty is to the government of the State of Israel of which you are a member of the ruling body. ou want to be an Arab first--go back to Arabia. You do not belong in Israel. It is trechery and disloyalty and should be punished by death or at the very least long imprisionment. No country would tolerate that. Muslim countries don;t even allow Jews--are they even citizens? to be in contact with Israel

We are all better off pumping the Assad gov't than letting the Muslim Brotherhood take over Syria. Assad is a secular gov't that can be dealt with. Everyone, get a little "business" sense.

I mean all of those who live in the Middle East. The "Arabs" are illiterate and those of them who can read and write lack comprehension of the world we are living in. But that does not allow the Jews, the literate, to take advantage of the illiterate. The literate Europeans annihilated the illiterate Aboriginals in America and Australia The literate Americans shipped and enslaved the illiterate Africans The literate British ruled over the illiterate India The literate English and Dutch colonized the illiterate South Africa In the end ONLY the Aboriginals lost their identity because they were the first ones to submit to defeat by reason of illiteracy. It is our duty, the literate, to understand and co-exist with the illiterate because when we rub shoulders we influence those who are overwhelmed by our literacy. The Kalashnikov and the M16 puts the literate and the illiterate on equal grounds. That is the mistake of the literate.

Do you need to be reminded that it was Hizbollah who declared war on Israel and not viceversa?

Start a new war now before too late, destroy both Syria and Lebanon. There is no other options left on the table. Once this is done it will be good for Israel and Palestine.

The Arab MKs are traitors; clearly a 5th column. The Jews living in the Arab countries were not allowed to have contact with Israel. Why should these Israeli Arabs be allowed contact with Israel's enemies. It's sickening.

Clearly the reason Arab MKs accomplish nothing is that they do not focus on building coalitions on bread and butter issues but rather spend all their time making sure that their constituents are alienated from the rest of the nation. But, of course, the more alienated and radicalized their constituents are, the more likely they are to re-elect these do-nothings, so it's a vicious circle.

The Arab MKs are making an executive, not a parliamentary decision. They are usurping power that does not belong to parliamentarians. It is the executive that engages in dipoloatic relations. This visit is flawed on multiple levels. Never should they be allowed back. This is downright outrageous.

Democracy doesn?t mean any can can do what they want. From what the article says, if they travel to Syria, they will be committing a crime.

You are right when you say "The Syrians press writes mainly false info on Israel". I don't think that the false info is about Israel only. I saw a TV interview with the Ambassador of Syria to the USA in which he said that he gets Syrian television as well as American and he is amazed by the difference in information. I am also sure that the ordinary people in every country are decent people and want peace and friendship with all the rest of the world as long as they aren't fed too much hatred by their politicians and by the media.

"Does Israel allow anybody from anywhere with any kind of passport (US, UK, Australian, Swedish... etc etc.) to enter Israel if their passport shows they have visited just about any other Arab country?" Well, I'm sure anyone turned away would be due to suspected "terrorism" or whatever political crutch can be used. After all the very semitic Palestinians are called "anti-semitic" on these threads. The goal is not peace, justice or safety. It is to keep the chattel in line. Sad what we've come to world wide.

Is that how you talk to Cuba? What a pity we don't have you running things here. I'm sure you would be absolutely wonderful at it.

They shouldnt be allowed in Israel when they return.

Hizbollah is sheltered in Lebanon. The Lebanese government should have disarmed Hizbollah and didn?t. Hizbollah has two ministers in the Lebanese government. Hizbollah has several members of the Lebanese Parliament. Hizbollah attacked Israel. But, as far as those KM are concerned, the blame for the war is on Israel. It is plain that they believe Hizbollah has the right to attack Israel and that Israel doesn?t have the right to defend itself.

"Can you see an American Senator going to Iran or Cuba without the Presidents permission,to give support to the leader of that country? I don`t think so.I wish you all the best." Why not? The leadership around the world is so corrupt at this point in history, maybe its time for "common people" to take it back. I mean before you throw stones you need to remember who killed Rabin. There is blood enough to go around, but peace will be found when brother and sister reach out to brother and sister. It will not be found in the dynasties that have an interest in keeping you and me fighting while they get rich. If you like living that way fine, I'll take a fresh approach.

What can we expect from them ? Love, respect ? They don't love and respect them selves.

Syria backs Hizbollah and supplies it with weapons. Hizbollah attacks Israel. Syria is not those people?s enemies Which conclusion can be drawn from it?

"We don't see Syria as an enemy state," Zahalka said Friday, in an interview with Israel Radio from Syria. "There is an opportunity today to discuss peace." - Haaretz An illegal visit to Syria may cost the Arab Mk's jail time and loss of their Knesst seat, and this will be fine. MK's must also observe the law. But I would like to concentrate on their message: It is time to pursue peace talks with Syria. Since losing the Golan Heights in 1967, Syria supported Palestinian terrorist groups and now Hizballah, all in an effort to pressure Israel into discussing the return of the Golan, but without being so directly involved that Israel would retaliate against them. This of course was smart from their point of view. With the fall of the Soviet Union, Syria lost its main patron and supporter. Initiall, they attempted to be friends with the US, and even joined Gulf War I against Saddam. Jim Baker visited Damascus, and later even Clinton met Assad. In the early 90's (Rabin's days) Hafez Assad made a strategic decision to pursue peace. Rabin promised the Golan will be returned for peace arrangements, and this was renewed by Peres, Netanyahu, Barak. Progress in peace talks lasted until Jan. 2000, when Barak could not come thru with final arrangements (due to fear of Israeli public opinion). Bashar Assad offered Sharon to continue the peace talks but Sharon refused; he said he didn?t want to give back the Golan. (Sharon was a shortsighted man.) There is now the opportunity to renew these talks. Peace with Syria will kill Hizballah and push Iran out of their Lebanon outpost. Without peace with Syria, a renewed Lebanon war is only a matter of time.

It's quite logical that the Arab faction in the Kenesset, for it IS an Arab faction in the Israeli Knesset, should want to connect and keep in touch with their Arab coreligionnaires in the rest of the Arab world, even as they are firmly attached to the State of Israel,as I'm sure they value their privileged status as citizens Israel. After all, the State itself is also committed, however painful it may be, to give up territory for the sake of peace.

...is what most Arab MK:s are. Or rather...shooting the feet of their constituency. With friends like those.... Vote Shas instead, that is my suggestion for the upcoming elections.

Azmi Bishara is a currupt politician who cares less about his constituency and more about his self interests and making a fortune. you can read more about him at: www.assennara.net